A Guide for First-Time Sellers of Photography Equipment

Selling Your Used Camera Gear for the First Time can be Intimidating: a Guide for First-Time Sellers

If you've never sold a piece of photography equipment online, the process can seem pretty daunting. But in reality, it can be a very simple and easy transaction. One that will be so convenient we'll wager you will want to start doing it often! But if you're anxious about selling your used photography gear, read through this handy guide for first-time sellers for answers to common questions as well as mistakes to avoid that a lot of novices tend to make. 

The top tips for any first-time seller

Selling your gear may not be as hard or time consuming as you might think. But that doesn't mean that it is easy - there can be a lot of things to consider when listing your gear. First-time sellers often overlook some of these steps and may have a harder time selling their gear. We've broken our suggestions down into 3 top tips. These 3 things sound easy, but may actually require a bit of thought. The 3 most important tips for selling gear are taking good photos, appropriate price, and accurate description. 

1. Pricing Your Photography Equipment

The first step to selling your used camera gear online is to determine how much you'd like to earn. Gear Focus has a handy price guide to help you determine the fair value of your gear. Determine a fair price for your gear. If you are willing to accept offers, know before listing the lowest amount you would accept for your gear. It is of the utmost importance that you list your gear with a fair and appropriate price. The #1 thing buyers will look at (and sort listings by) is the cost. Once you have an idea of the appropriate price for your gear, you are now ready to list!

2. Good Photos

Taking good photos that clearly show the gear goes a long way to helping you stand out. If you are selling something that has a lot of competing listings, your photos and price will make all the difference. If the cost is roughly the same, then it will be the images that really sell your gear.

Clean Your Gear

This may seem obvious, but you'll want to spend a decent amount of time cleaning and detailing your used gear. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away all dust particles which can really go a long way in making your gear stand out. Read more about cleaning your gear for selling on our blog here. Clean gear is extremely important for first-time sellers as it shows how you've cared for your gear.

Taking the Pictures

Round up every piece of equipment that will be included in your listing. You'll want to take several nice pictures of the gear. It is common to take a "group" photo of all gear for the main image of your listing. Next you'll want to separate the pieces and take individual photos of the gear. It is also good practice to place your items on a white background if possible to improve the contrast of your images and really make your gear standout. Avoid dark areas and spend a few minutes straightening up anything that might find it's way into the background of your picture. If you have a white sheet, drape it over a chair and place your gear on the floor and take the pictures. High quality photos for your listing are of the utmost importance. The first impression your gear receives needs to leave a lasting impression on your potential customers. If a seller spends no time taking the pictures, who knows where else they might take shortcuts. Be sure to take crisp, clean photos of the actual gear and take closeups of any imperfections (or bonuses!) on your gear.

3. Describing Your Used Photography Equipment

The description is nearly as important as the pictures. Be honest and describe the gear in as much detail as you can. Include manufacturer information and links for anyone that might not know all the specs and details of your camera. If there are any blemishes or issues with functionality, describe them carefully. As mentioned before, include detailed pictures of any defects so that your buyer is not surprised when the gear arrives on their doorstep. Read more listing tips here.

Listing Your Photography Equipment

Now it's time to list your gear. Upload those awesome images you took and leave a detailed description of what is (and isn't) included. It is unwise to take a picture, say, of a camera with a lens if you only intend to sell the camera body. But be sure to clearly indicate that the lens or other items are not included if they are in the photos. In our opinion, though, it is easier and much more clear to customers if you simply take another photo of the gear without the lens. Another helpful pro-tip is to save the original boxes that come with your gear. Packaging the gear back in the original boxes shows a level of professionalism. This also gives the gear the appearance as it was when purchased brand new. It also proves to your potential customers that you are serious about your gear and have taken care of each piece. Don't have the original boxes? Not to worry, the gear will still hold value, and you will likely still be able to sell it for the desired amount. Fill in all the required fields on the listing page. Include a "Short Description" with the highlights of your listing. Try to word it in a way that grabs peoples attention, without being obnoxious. There is a three hundred character limit so keep your description concise. Put the details and relevant links in the "Full Description" section. Here you can also elaborate on any of the included perks as well as describe any imperfections.

Accept Offers

Of course if you KNOW how much your gear is worth and won't accept less than that amount, you shouldn't select "accept offers." But in our years of experience we've found one thing to be true: people LOVE getting a deal. Buyers are more likely to review a listing if they are allowed to submit an offer for less than the listed price. It doesn't hurt to at least entertain the offer. Many first-time sellers overlook the option to accept offers. Some may think they know exactly what they want to earn, and won't accept anything less. A buyer may come to their senses and realize just how good of a deal your listing is after having an offer declined. Or perhaps they will realize they can't live without this particular piece. All we know for sure is people are more likely to interact with your listing and potentially make a purchase if they are getting a perceived deal. Even if the deal isn't much of a deal at all, and you are only accepting slightly less than your original price.

SOLD! Now Ship it to the Buyer

Congratulations on selling your used photography equipment! Now you need to package it up and ship it to the buyer. Find a box large enough to comfortably fit the gear. Do not butt separate pieces up against each other without some type of plastic/bubble wrap protection between them. Protect each piece by wrapping individually in a thick layer of bubble wrap, paper, or other shipping filler. Read more about our shipping tips here.

Get Paid (You Are No Longer a First-Time Seller!)

Once the item has been marked as shipped and shows as delivered via the tracking, you can withdraw your money! Gear Focus covers the cost of this, so there is NO FEE for withdrawing your money! Alternatively, you can leave your balance right where it is and use it towards your next purchase. Just another way that Gear Focus is working with you and for you to streamline the selling process put more money in your pocket for your used photography equipment. Ready to start selling? List your gear for free now. After reading through this article, do you still have reservations about selling online? Let us know in the comments below and we can answer any questions you have!